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According to ASUR, the airport group which runs the Cancun International Airport, an estimated 13,000 American passengers are still arriving daily.
On Monday, a total of 100 flights arrived carrying over 15,000 international passengers. 87 of the flights were from the United States. Its estimated that Americans now make up more than 90% of international arrivals to Cancun due to the new restrictions on Canadian and European travelers.
The total number of flights including domestic and international is hovering around 300 per day which is a far cry from the peak holiday season in December which exceeded 500 flights per day.
While Cancun has seen a drop in international arrivals due to the new variants of Covid-19 and harsh travel restrictions around the world, the popular destination is faring far better than most.
Why Travelers Are Still Going To Cancun
Cancun has been a leader being the first destination to reopen for tourism in June, the first destination to receive the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp and the first destination to react to the new testing requirements for U.S. travelers.
Cancun's ability to pivot quickly and give travelers confidence in the destination has led to a surge in popularity during pandemic-era travel. Coupled with some of the most relaxed entry requirements in the world, Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean continue to take the lions share of American tourists.
Hotels Offer American Travelers Free Testing
When the new testing requirement for Americans returning home from abroad was announced, Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean immediately reacted to solve the problem for travelers. Many hotels in Cancun now offer free antigen testing for guests and dozens of clinics are offering mobile testing.
The Cancun International Airport has also set up two testing labs at both departure gates for Americans who need a last minute test to board their flights.
Hotel Occupancy Still 30% In Cancun
While hotel occupancy in Cancun has dropped from 60% in December to around 30% in January, thousands of American travelers are still headed south to the beach destination.
Playa Del Carmen, Tulum and other hotspots in the Riviera Maya have seen occupancy drop further to around 20% in January.
Cancun Increases Covid-19 Warning
The Governor of Quintana Roo announced in late January that the northern area of the state including Cancun and Playa Del Carmen will have an increased epidemiological warning level. Governor Carlos Joaquin Gonzalez changed the state warning level to the orange epidemiological light.
Under the orange light, hotels must not exceed a 50% capacity and beaches are limited to 30% capacity. Along with new capacity orders, municipal and state police have stepped up patrols to enforce Covid-19 prevention measures including social distancing and the mandatory use of masks.
Two restaurants in Tulum were recently shut down by authorities for exceeding the maximum capacity allowed under the orange light.
What About The U.S. Quarantine When Returning From Abroad?
The U.S. State department has not released any follow up details on Joe Biden's order to follow CDC recommended quarantines after international travel. The CDC recommends self isolating for 7 days upon return. Some states do have mandatory quarantines including New York and California.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
jason
Thursday 4th of February 2021
they, i.e. ASUR are lying about 13,000 daily american tourist coming to cancun. I am here right now. there are NO tourist here. the only foreighners that's here are the ones that live here a long time. pretty much zero tourists.
Jill Kirkland
Thursday 4th of February 2021
As a long time resident of Playa del Carmen, I depend on tourism.... but the tourists that cone here don’t respect the social distancing and mandatory mask usage. Every day I see many, many tourists without masks and in bars (which are supposed to be closed) like sardines in a can. Maybe you don’t get covid because we all wear masks and respect our tourists. Many of the workers in hotels and restaurants have been infected because of the “I don’t give a damn” attitude of the tourists. Yes, please come and enjoy our paradise, BUT show some respect to us here by following the required health standards, please!
Peter
Wednesday 3rd of February 2021
Thank You Mexico for beatiful january vacation In Catalonia Tulum resort
Andrus
Tuesday 2nd of February 2021
Return home from Cancun to EU, do I need covid test in Frankfurt airport, using it just for transfer?
Kashlee Kucheran
Wednesday 3rd of February 2021
EU citizens need a 48-hour PCR test to ENTER Germany from Mexico, but I cannot find if that is also in effect for transits. Tests are relatively easy to get in mexico, so maybe get one just to be sure
Roberto Negrin
Tuesday 2nd of February 2021
Do USA tourist need to provide COVID-19 upon arrival in mexico?
Kashlee Kucheran
Wednesday 3rd of February 2021
no. Mexico does not require testing for entry.